QuoteThe Times will charge $15 every four weeks, or $195 annually, to read more than 20 articles per month on its website. That fee also covers a subscription on the newspaper's software for smart phones. Readers who want unlimited access on the website and the Times' software for Apple Inc.'s iPad tablet computer will have to pay $20 every four weeks, or $260 annually. A digital pass covering the website and both mobile options will cost $35 every four weeks, or $455 annually.
http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20110317&id=13172413
Apparently it will let people through if they send out a referer from a popular social site like FB or Twitter. If that's the case it should be easy to break the limitation for all but the least technically adept.
Debbie doesn't think this is going to fly.
Debbie and I agree. There is no chance it'll work.
The high pricing is probably there because they know most will not bother paying (at almost any price) so why not get as much as possible from those who are willing to pay. I don't see it working well either, it would be interesting to know how many subscriptions they need to break even on their content (once advertising is taken into account too).
They are taking the p*ss with the "digital pass", they are saying you pay $195 for full PC & Mobile access, but then have to pay $260 for iPad access on top - talk about gouging those that they think are gullible.